Three meetings around Japan on Thursday with Sonoda, Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) and Kasamatsu all hosting. No stand out races but plenty of good contests to pick out our best bets.
Kasamatsu Race 9 #2 Sei Ziggurat
A tricky meeting at Kasamatsu with plenty of wide open races but Sei Ziggurat looks the best on the program and is sure to go around a popular pick coming off two straight wins at this track and distance. The market hasn't quite caught up to this two-year-old colt either, going around at $5, $2.4 and $2.1 his last three starts. He's up in grade today but his ratings are right up to winning this and all things equal he should be doing so.
Ohi (Tokyo City Keiba) Race 8 #10 Kyoko Toppa
It didn't take this filly long to find winning form this preparation, beaten 6 lengths first up on sloppy ground before a strong win last start when finding firmer footing. The win rated very well and she meets a similar field here so I think she can win again. She was sent around at $6 last start and while I think she'll be favourite here, she should still be a backable price and very hard to hold out late. #4 Golden Yoshino looks the main threat having also won second up but has a length to find on Kyoko Toppa.
Sonoda Race 7 #5 Tokino Kelly (each-way)
Looking for one that should go around at each-way odds here with Tokino Kelly coming off a below par run last start despite finishing third, rating well down on her win prior. If she finds that form again she'll prove very tough to beat in an open race, with the victory rating the best in this field over recent runs. She can mix her form which is why we'll get a price but even if she falls somewhere in the middle of her last two starts I think she can be in the money so I'll back her each way.
Sonoda Race 10 #4 Boule A Neige (each-way)
Another each way play here with Boule A Neige as I expect #5 Asukano Mirai to be a fairly short priced favourite and hard to beat, but Boule A Neige doesn't rate that far off the hot horse and can give him a race. Her last start win rated roughly a length lower than Asukano Mirai, who has won two in a row and went around at $1.50 last start. They clearly look the two and with a bit of luck in running, Boule A Neige can cause the upset, if not at least run second.
